9.4

9.4The Second President

Guiding Questions………..

How did John Adams handle the conflict with France?

Why did the Federalist party split?

Guiding Questions………..

How did the Alien and Sedition acts raise the issue of the rights of states?

What role did Congress play in the election of 1800?

John Adams Conflict with France

John Adam & France

France objected to Jay’s Treaty. The French said it favored Britain.

French ships began to seize American ships.

Adams sent diplomats to Paris to discuss the rights of neutral nations.

John Adams & France

The French foreign minister sent three agents to offer the Americans a deal. The agents asked for a $250,000 bribe and a $10 million loan to France before they would talk.

John Adams & France

Adams told Congress. Because he called the French agents X, Y, and Z, the incident became known as the XYZ Affair.

XYZ AFFAIR

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John Adams & France

The country would not pay the bribe, but Adams refused to ask Congress to declare war on France.

Instead, Adams strengthened the navy by building frigates, fast-sailing ships with many guns.

Federalist Party Splits

Federalists Party Split

Hamilton and his Federalist supporters wanted a war with France.

War with France would weaken the Republican party.

Federalist Party Split

War would force the United States to build up its military forces. This would increase federal power.

Federalist Party Split

Adams and his Federalist supporters wanted to avoid war with France.

Adams wanted to keep the country out of European affairs.

Federalist Party Split

He sent American diplomats to France. The new French leader agreed to stop seizing American ships.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

During the crisis with France, Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition acts.

Alien Act

The President could expel any alien thought to be dangerous to the country.

The number of years immigrants had to wait to become citizens was raised from 5 to 14.

Sedition Act

Sedition means stirring up rebellion against a government. Under this law, citizens could be fined or jailed for criticizing the government or its officials.

What about freedom of speech??

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The Alien and Sedition Acts and States’ Rights

Republicans opposed the Alien and Sedition acts.

Jefferson argued that states had the right to nullify, or cancel, a law passed by the federal government.

The Alien and Sedition Acts and States’ Rights

Kentucky and Virginia passed resolutions supporting Jefferson’s view.

Kentucky and Virginia resolutions

These resolutions claimed that each state “has an equal right to judge for itself” whether a law is constitutional.

If a state decides a law is unconstitutional, the state can nullify that law within its borders.

Kentucky and Virginia resolutions

These resolutions raised the issue of states’ rights. Does the federal government have only those powers listed in the Constitution? If so, the states possess all other powers.

Congress and the Election of 1800

Republicans backed Thomas Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for Vice President. Federalists supported John Adams.

Republicans won the popular vote.

Congress and the Election of 1800

In the electoral college, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes.

The election went to the House of Representatives to decide.

Congress and the Election of 1800

After four days and 36 votes, the House chose Jefferson as President and Burr as Vice President.

Federalists angered the Republicans when they passed the Alien and Sedition acts, which said thata) American diplomats could not pay

bribes to foreign agents.b) foreigners could never become

citizens.c) under certain circumstances, citizens

could rebel against the government.d) citizens could be jailed for criticizing

the government or its officials.

The issue of states’ rights raises questions abouta) whether the federal government should

have a strong military force.b) the President’s power to expel aliens.c) whether Kentucky and Virginia had the

right to pass resolutions.d) which powers belong to the federal

government and which belong to the states.